Conservation Policy 2004

For some time now, the ATC has considered the many and varied proposals put forward by environmentalists and other interest groups on the need for conservation of essential oil producing plants. More recently, there have been calls for the ATC to ban the sale of certain essential oils produced from species that are now considered threatened or endangered.

Clearly it is not in the best interest of any aromatherapy manufacturer or supplier to destroy populations of threatened and endangered plants by continuing to sell oils produced from them. Nor is it in the interest of professional aromatherapists to loose oils of importance to their therapeutic armoury. Therefore a long-term strategy needs to be put into place today, in order to protect the future of aromatherapy.

The ATC is a democratic organisation and following consultation with all members, the ATC adopted a policy at their 2004 AGM in September supporting the principles of sustainable harvesting and the protection of endangered species.

Adopted at the AGM in September 2004

The ATC supports the maintenance of biodiversity and the conservation of plant species in natural habitats. They are essential to the interests of aromatherapy, the quality of the environment and the welfare of future generations.

The ATC supports the principles of sustainable harvesting and protection of endangered species.

Wild harvesting should only be undertaken with strict controls. In the usage of non-cultivated medicinal plants, ATC members should endeavour to respect:

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and any relevant national regulations have been observed.

Neither plant species nor their natural habitats are threatened by irresponsible harvesting or over-exploitation.

Further information on CITES can be found at www.cites.org

Addendum

The ATC continually monitors world affairs and periodically updates its long-term strategy for supporting the conservation of medicinal plants. At the ATC’s Annual General Meeting of September 2007, the PR Chairman recommended adopting the New International Standard for Sustainable Wild Collection of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, as enforced by the Medicinal Plant Specialist Group (MPSG) of the IUCN (The World Conservation Union).

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